III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 216 

Expressing gratitude and appreciation to the men and women of the United 

States Armed Forces who served in World War II, commending the 

acts of heroism displayed by those servicemembers, and recognizing the 

‘‘Greatest Generation Homecoming Weekend’’ to be held in Pittsburgh, 

Pennsylvania. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 27, 2005 

Mr. SANTORUM (for himself and Mr. SPECTER) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing gratitude and appreciation to the men and women 

of the United States Armed Forces who served in World 

War II, commending the acts of heroism displayed by 

those servicemembers, and recognizing the ‘‘Greatest 

Generation Homecoming Weekend’’ to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Whereas World War II began on September 1, 1939, when 

Nazi Germany invaded Poland without a declaration of 

war and then moved, following the surrender of Poland, 

to invade and occupy Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, 

the Netherlands, and Belgium; 

Whereas following the premeditated invasion by Japan on the 

United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 
2 

•SRES 216 ATS

1941, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II on the side of freedom and democracy; 

Whereas when the fate of the free world was in jeopardy as 

a direct result of the desire of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi 

regime for world conquest, the servicemembers of the 

United States Armed Forces known as the ‘‘Greatest 

Generation’’ assumed the task of freeing the world of Nazism, fascism, and tyranny; 

Whereas more than 16,000,000 Americans served in the 

United States Armed Forces during World War II, and 

millions more supported the war effort at home; 

Whereas more than 400,000 brave Americans made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II in the name of freedom and in defense of the ideals that the people of the 

United States hold dear; 

Whereas units of the United States Army, such as the 1st 

Infantry Division known as the ‘‘Big Red One’’, the 3rd 

Infantry Division known as the ‘‘Rock of the Marne’’, the 

10th Armored Division known as the ‘‘Tiger Division’’, 

and the ‘‘Flying Tigers’’ of the 14th Air Force, valiantly 

fought to defeat the oppression and tyranny of the Axis 

Powers; 

Whereas the great tragedy of World War II was the defining 

event of the 20th century, when the brave men and 

women of the United States Armed Forces fought for the 

common defense of the United States and for the broader 

causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout 

the world; and 

Whereas the members of the United States Armed Forces, including the ‘‘Greatest Generation’’ of World War II, 
3 

•SRES 216 ATS

made sacrifices and displayed bravery and heroism in the 

name of freedom and democracy throughout the world: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) expresses appreciation to the members of 

3 the United States Armed Forces who served during 

4 World War II, for— 

5 (A) the selfless service of those 

6 servicemembers to the United States; 

7 (B) restoring freedom to the world; and 

8 (C) defeating the elements of evil and op9 pression; 

10 (2) commends the heroism and bravery dis11 played by the members of the United States Armed 

12 Forces who served during World War II, known as 

13 the ‘‘Greatest Generation’’, in the face of death and 

14 severe hardship, and honors those servicemembers 

15 who made the ultimate sacrifice; 

16 (3) proudly honors the members of the ‘‘Great17 est Generation’’ on the occasion of the forthcoming 

18 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and 

19 in conjunction with the ‘‘Greatest Generation Home20 coming Weekend’’ in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 

21 (4) proudly honors all members of the United 

22 States Armed Forces, past and present, who defend 
4 

•SRES 216 ATS

1 the freedom of the United States in times of both 

2 war and peace; and 

3 (5) commends the participants of the ‘‘Greatest 

4 Generation Homecoming Weekend’’ that takes place 

5 from September 2, 2005 through September 5, 2005 

6 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Æ